Key Points: Take short shifts and play with good habits. Move the puck to players in better position than you. On defense play tight gaps and everyone cover an attacker.

Description: 1. Play 3 on 3 with the extra players on the bench. 2. Scoring team get the puck right away and attack the other net. Defenders must rush back to the red line before they can check the players. 3. Keep score and play games to 3 and situations like of 2 out of 3 series. 4. If you have at least 16 players play some 4-4 or with at least 20 skaters 5-5 as long as the pace of the game is intense.

I have spent the last 3.5 hours working on section six of the daily drills. I am adding the pdf.s and fixing up the titles to tell whether it is a pro demonstration or college or pro women, U18 or from an international practice.--------------------------------This is a link to a Swedish presentation on playing Role 3 and 4 situations. Defensive 1 on 1's. Either covering the player with the puck or the player away from the puck. There are good game examples and I will add an attachment with drills to practice the situations.

This is a transition game my asst. coach Sean Kibyuk ran that requires decision making by the players and is a great example of how transition games can be used to teach the game and free the Coach to coach. ----------------------------------DT100 Read-Act to Situation 1-1 to 3-3

Key Points:Transition game where the players must read the ever changing situations and act to make them even. Transition happens on a turnover, a goal or the goalie freezes the puck. The closest player support to create an even situation.

Description:A. B1-2-3 attack R1-2-3.B. R5-6 support the attack and B4 the defenders.C. On transtion B4 attack R4-5 and B1-2-or 3 support the attack making it 2-2.D. Blue Coach sends B5 to support the attack.E. Red Coach sends R6-7 to support defense.F. On transition R6-7 attack B5 and B1 or B2 read the outnumber situation and backcheck to make it a 2 on 2.G. Coaches continue to randomly send 1 to 3 players to support.H. Players read the situation and support to make it a 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3 attack.

This is another game where players must read the ever changing situation. I posted a similar game before but the video wasn't very good and now we line up across the blue line and start by skating behind the net.------------------------------------------------------------------------D200 3-3 with 3-2-1 Pucks

Key Points:-Players can only shoot when the goalie is ready.-No empty net goals.-Situation continually changes as goals are scored and players have to read odd and even man numbers.

Description:1. Players line up outside the blue lines.2. Coach shoots in 3 pucks.3. Players race for pucks and battle to score and defend.4. Leave puck in the net after a goal and play with 2 pucks then 1 puck.5. Pass pucks remaining to teammates on whistle.4. Hustle out of the zone on the whistle and play 20-30 seconds only.6. Count the pucks in the net after to determine the winning team.*Option is to pass to teammates on the blue line. Another option is to skate behind the nets to start.

I have posted the pro's doing a similar game but we added some rules like skate behind the net and passes to jokers, as well as pass to teammate on the whistle.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

D200 2-2 Shoot Either Net – U18F

Key Points:Quick reading the rush and change the point of attack. Need quick feet and quick thinking. Get defenders to commit then change direction. No reaching penalties.

Description:1. Two teams on blue line with one at each half.2. Extra players along the blue line are jokers and they can pass or shoot.3. Play with only one puck in the playing area.4. Players can score at either end.5. Pass to teammate on the whistle.6. Players skate behind their own net on the whistle.7. Keep score and leave the pucks in the net after a goal. Coach shoot in a new puck.

*Alternative is to play from 1-1 to 5-5 with the same rule that you can score on either net.

This is a great drill/game that my assistant coach Sean ran at practice. (any High School College or Jr. team looking for an up and coming 30 year old Fireman coach - Sean is your man.) I did the video with the movie maker so it has descriptions.--------------------------------------------------

D400 Random Reading Game Playing Roles

Key Points:Players must read their game playing role from: 1 - carry the puck, 2 – support on offense, 3 – closest player check the puck carrier, 4 – cover players away from the puck. Always see the puck and the player they are covering.

Description:

Situation One1. Players are first divided into teams and one passes in the neutral zone while the other defends from inside the blue line.2. One player attacks from the neutral zone on each coaches whistle vs. one defender. (Shoot original puck out of the zone.)3. Each whistle produces progressively increasing situations as players stay in the zone with attakers trying to score and defenders playing man to man defense.

Situation Two1. This progresses to half of each team in neutral zone and defending zone. 2. In the neutral zone they play keep-away and whomever has the puck when the whistle blows attacks and the opposite team must recongnize they are on defense and a new defender plays the 1-1 while the players already in the zone adjust to either offensive or defensive roles.3. Continue attacking from the neutral zone until everyone is has attacked.4. Keep score.

Key Points:This transition game has active support from offensive jokers at the point and then the original defenders follow the attack and there is a regroup in the neutral zone before crossing the offensive blue line. Progress to the attacking team regroup with the original defenders on a whistle. Supporting point men stay at the point and only get the puck for one second before passing or shooting. they defend the breakout. Coach may or may not whistle.If there is a turnover the defenders attack the other way vs. the two attackers.

Description:1. Blue 1-2 attack vs. Red 1-2.2. Blue 3-4 support the attack as active jokers at the point.3. Jokers can shoot or pass but not go in deep.4. On transition Red 1-2 attack vs. Blue 3-4 and Blue and Red 3-4 follow attack.5. Red 1-2 regroup with Red 3-4.6. Continue the rush R1-2 vs. B3-4.7. R3-4 support as Jokers at the point.8. Continue this sequence with Blue 5-6 supporting and regrouping with the next rush.

Key Points:This SAG goal is to practice READING Game Situations by constantly changing the situation from 1-3 on offense or defense at once. Set one net up on the goal line below the face-off dot facing up ice and the other net facing the corner just inside the circle. The game is continuous and thecoach shoot in a new puck on a goal.

Description:A. Blue 1 and 2 attack Red 1 and 2 in the corner and Blue 3 and 4 attack Red 3 and 4 from the red line.B. Coach whistles and Red 1 and 2 carry the puck out to the red line and attack the other net vs. Blue 3 and 4.C. Coach shoots in a new puck and Red 5 and 6 attack vs. Blue 1 and 2 in the corner. Red 3 and 4 return to the line.

Option: Vary the number of players from 1 to 3 and switch up who starts on offense half way through the game. 1-1, 2-2, 1-2, 2-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-3, 3-2, 3-1

This is a good method to use when teaching the forecheck.------------------------------------------------------------

T4, 5-2 Forecheck and Regroup - Czech U17

Key Points: Teaching method for instructing the forecheck so all the players understand. This can be used to teach any forecheck.

Description:1. Two defenders are at the top fo the circle and five attackers in the neutral zone.2. Start with 2 D who skate forward to the blue line and then backward. 3. The coach dumps the puck in and 5 players forecheck vs. the 2 D and two coaches who are outlets along the boards. 4. When the D pass to a coach, or on a goal the puck is dumped down to the far blue line where the attackers regroup and attack 5-2.5. Play until the attack is finished.

Key Points:On the breakout either the player or the puck moves right away. Face the puck and give a target.

Description:1. Line up at far blue line.2. Coach pass to D who go D to D and back to coach who shoots puck in.3. Five players break out.4. Turn back at the red line and the three F attack the two D 3 on 2.5. Play out the 3-3 until the whistle.6. Next group repeat.

This drill is run by a Slovakian coach with the second division pro team. There aren't many players on the ice. It was targeted for the goalies.-------------------------------------------------------------------E1-C3 Goalie Passing-Regroup -1 on 1

Key Points:Face the puck at all times and give a target. Forward shoot so the goalie can catch it and then make a pass.

Description:1. D1 pass to the F who regroups with D2.2. D2 pass to F who skates over the blue line and shoots so the goalie can catch the puck.3. Goalie pass to D1.4. D1 pass to F and follow the attack.5. F attack vs. D2.6. If D2 breaks up the rush then attack vs. D1.7. Blue group repeat on the other side in the opposite direction when the attack is finished.

*With a large group this could be done from both sides at once and with 2 F's.

Today we had 6 beginner level players and 6 more advanced level. Half in Red and half in green. We did a lot of puck handling and skating agility and then they played this puck handling game.

- 2 small nets across ice from each other just inside the outside of each circle.- 1 player on and the other two at the blue line.- start with NHL touch face-off.

Sequence:- if you get scored on you get the puck out of the net and pass to a team mate on the side who attacks 1-1 vs. the player who scored, who must skate to his half of the ice before defending.- If you score vs. everyone then rotate by passing to the side.- To score you must get at least to the face-off dot and the net is just inside the circle (no chicken shots from far out-you have to dangle to score)

Opitions we did.- players on the side are jokers and you can pass to them.- 2-2 with the same rules.

It was nothing short than a GREAT puck handling exercise. I saw them pulling moves in the games that I have recently showed them.

I have posted about 240 of the Daily Drill exercises on http://hockeycoach.com and you used to have to scroll down pages about assessment etc. to get to them. Mike Hartman has changed the layout so it opens right at the hockey coaching part. There is a place for discussion and articles and in the middle it says hockey drills. If you click there you see the description and links for the diagram, pdf and video. It links back to this site but opens the links right away. The titles are listed and the description only opens if you click on the titles. So it offers a quick way to look for material.

Description:1. Players line up at the four blue lines on the boards.2. Red 1 leave and pass to either Blue 1 or 2.3. Return pass is made to Red 1 or 2.4. Reds make one or two passes and shoot.5. Follow the shot for a rebound.

Key Points:Team is in two colours or four colours. Skate in straight lines from the net out when killing penalties and only laterally when checking the puck carrier. Sticks in the passing lanes, stick on the puck. Shin pads in front of the puck on shots. On the power play either the puck or player move and rotate positions away from the puck.

Description:1. Half the team at each end and rotate between pp and pk when the play is at the other end.2. Start with the coach spotting the puck or with a face-off.3. The coach put in a new puck when the puck is out of play.4. Practice all of the options with everyone getting shots.5. Penalty killers rotate with a diamond vs. a diamond power play and a box when the puck is on the wall or low.6. Power play create 2 on 1’s and one timer shots.7. Penalty kill deny shots from the middle first and move to shooters on the sides.8. This rotation can also be used to practice low zone even strength situations.

Key Points:Either the player or the puck moves. Set up on the off wing for one timers. Rotate positions. One touch passes, one timer shots, pouncing on rebounds produce goals.

Description:1. Start with a face-off and allow the offense to win the draw.2. Set up with two players just above the goal line, two at the top of the circles and one in the middle.3. Point men can start on the strong side and cross to the off wing side to set a moving one timer.4. The player in the middle should screen when the puck is at the point and slide back near the hash marks when the puck is low to set up for one timer and allow room for back door pass. They can stay for a quick jam is also.5. The key is to become a threat when you have the puck and switches and screens away from the puck.6. Some teams have the two low players below the goal line. This causes the pk. to turn their backs and is very effective for setting up one timers and walk-outs. 7. Make passes that beat one defender or through seams to the other side for one timers.8. Outwork the penalty killers.9. The goal when practicing the PP is for a shot every 3 seconds. It is not keepaway. The purpose of a power play is to Produce Rebounds.

Key Points:Players on the sides be on their off wings for one timer shots. Rotate positions and create constant movement. One timer shots are most effective from the dot and lower.

Description:1. Outwork the defenders with one extra attacker battling for loose pucks.2. When the puck is at the half-boards the player in front should support from the goal line.3. When the puck is at the mid-point move into a 1-3-1.4. The player in the middle give close support to the players at on each side and the mid-point.5. Move the puck quickly with one touch passes that beat one defender unless a seam opens for a cross-ice pass that beats two defenders.6. Either the player or the puck moves at all times.7. Mid-point player always look to shoot first and miss the shot blocker. Pass when there is no shot.8. Create rebounds and then outnumber the defenders in the slot.9. Attack in waves with constant rotation, quick passes and shots to continually create open passing and shooting lanes.

Specialty Team PracticesI have made video of Detroit, Salzburg Red Bulls and the Flames practicing specialty teams. They all have a common way to practice specialty teams but have their own philosophies on the power play and penalty kill. The Red Bulls are coached by a long time NHL coach Pierre Page and the assistant coach is Reijo Routsalainen who was an offensive defenseman in the NHL for Edmonton, NY and the Devils. He led the Rangers in scoring one season.They all start with either an overload or a slot set power play and move into a 1-3-1.

Here are some of the philosophies I see.

Detroit:Power play has lots of motion and rotating positions. They always have a good screen in front of the goal and will move the puck from side to side behind the net.Penalty killing they overload the corner with all four players if the puck is dumped in and there is a battle. A D on the puck, puck side F drops down along the wall, middle F is near the dot and the net D stays with his man. The forwards stay on their side of the ice and the middle F will go to the puck side if the pass is to that side and the weak side F will be in the middle. They pressure on loose pucks with the stick always leading and on the puck. Good sticks all of the time.

Red BullsThe Red Bulls want to move the puck as quickly as possible and always shoot when there is an opening. On the pk the closest defender pressures with the stick on the puck and they constantly rotate, so a D could end up at the point. They skate in straight lines always from the net out and have sticks in the passing lanes.

The FlamesFlames move into a 1-3-1 diamond but don’t have as much rotation of positions or one touch passing. On the penalty kill they try to do a fall under when the puck is at the mid-point and the forward will chase a puck sideways and get caught when the pp passes right back to the middle because the F’s are constantly switching sides. They play solid when the puck is low.

I like the way Detroit overloads the play in the corner and the weak side F covers the player in the mid slot when the puck is at the half wall. I like the way the Red Bulls skate in straight lines and pressure the puck. My view is when the puck is passed to the side for the one timer that either the F or the D on that side block and the player who covered mid point drop down to cover the middle player and take away the pass across.So the question is: What is your philosophy and why and then ‘How do you teach it to your team.’

Some earlier posting discussed penalty killing and I will put the links here.

T4 Penalty Killing 3 on 5 vs. the Spread Power PlayIf they keep the player in the middle then the high players move from blocking the shot to covering the middle player to the back door player. If the middle player stays at the top of the crease then he must be covered.The D move laterally to cover the puck side low. So attacker with the puck and players one pass away are covered and players two passes away are covered by staying in the passing lane.